Monster Open Touch Pro wins this guide to open ear earbuds under 100 for fishing, with a TF-card MP3 mode that can play without a phone. The Monster Open Free AC100 is the simpler alternative, with an open fit and dual-microphone call-noise reduction.
Monster Open Touch Pro wins this guide to open ear earbuds under 100 for fishing, with a TF-card MP3 mode that can play without a phone. The Monster Open Free AC100 is the simpler alternative, with an open fit and dual-microphone call-noise reduction.
• Monster Open Touch Pro — best for phone-free listening by the water; pick this if you want a TF-card MP3 mode, touch controls and up to 30 hours of playback with the case.
• Monster Open Free AC100 — best for straightforward open-ear listening; pick this if you want 16mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 and up to 30 hours total playback.
• Monster Open Free AC100 — best for a compact feature set with an open fit; pick this if you want dual-microphone call-noise reduction and up to six hours per charge.
• Monster Open Free AC100 — best for outdoor workouts; pick this if you want Bluetooth 5.3 and a water-resistant coating described as guarding against sweat and rain splash.
The Monster Open Touch Pro is my pick for fishing because its open-ear fit leaves you less cut off from nearby sounds, while its TF-card slot can make listening independent of a phone or network. The TF card is not included, so this option makes the most sense if you already have one or are willing to use one. For a day by the water, that offline playback can be more useful than another phone-dependent feature.
Its curved silicone ear hooks are designed to sit securely without going into the ear canal. That open design can let you hear more of your surroundings while listening, a practical consideration around other people or changing conditions. It does not cancel the environment out for music listening: the listed ENC feature is for clearer calls, not for blocking outside sound.
The touchscreen case adds controls for playback, track changes, volume and EQ modes. It is an unusually feature-rich case, and the built-in player gives it a second role beyond charging. Bluetooth 5.4 is specified for the wireless connection; the earbuds are rated for up to eight hours per charge and up to 30 hours with the case. IPX5 protection is intended for sweat and light rain, not an invitation to submerge them.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-11 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The trade-off is complexity. The case features and TF-card mode are useful if you want independent playback, but they may be unnecessary if you simply want headphones that pair with a phone. I also would not mistake the open fit for isolation: nearby noise remains part of the listening environment. For anglers who want music but still value awareness, I think this is the most versatile choice here.
The Monster Open Free AC100 is a more straightforward option for someone who wants open-ear listening without a built-in MP3 feature. Its 16mm drivers are intended to provide stereo sound, and its Bluetooth 5.3 connection pairs with a phone, tablet or laptop. The hook-style design keeps the earpieces outside the ear canal, which may suit listeners who dislike in-ear tips.
For a fishing trip, that open design has a clear benefit: you can listen without fully shutting out the sounds around you. It is also relevant for walks and everyday outdoor use. As with other open-ear headphones, it does not promise the private, sealed listening experience of an in-ear design. Wind, water and other ambient noise may compete with your audio.
The product information lists up to six hours of playback per use and up to 30 hours in total with the charging case. AI noise reduction with dual microphones is aimed at calls, helping reduce background noise picked up during conversations. That is separate from music noise cancellation; don’t expect it to silence the surroundings while you listen.
The main drawback is that playback depends on a connected device, unlike the Touch Pro’s TF-card mode. I’d choose this AC100 if simplicity matters more than offline listening and you want an open fit with call-noise reduction. It is a sensible candidate for shoppers searching for the best bluetooth headphones for fishing, provided they understand that ambient sound remains present.
Monster Open Free AC100
This version of the Monster Open Free AC100 is also described with 16mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 and an open-ear design. Its stated benefits are comfort without placing an earpiece in the canal, awareness of surrounding sounds and call-noise reduction through dual microphones. That makes it a familiar, no-frills fit for walks, routine listening and outdoor activities where staying aware matters.
The six-hour per-use figure is useful for planning a listening session, while the stated 30-hour total includes the charging case. The open design is the feature I’d weigh most heavily for fishing: it avoids sealing off the ear, but it does not guarantee that every nearby sound will be easy to hear. Volume, distance and surrounding conditions still matter.
This is a reasonable option for shoppers considering sports earbuds for fishing, especially if they want to keep their ears open to the environment. But it is worth remembering that “open” describes the ear design, not a guarantee of safety or perfect awareness. I’d keep volume at a level that lets you notice what is happening around you.
Monster Open Free AC100
This AC100 listing shares the 16mm driver, Bluetooth 5.3, open-ear fit and up-to-six-hours-per-use battery description found on the other AC100 versions. Its product details also specify a water-resistant nano-coating intended to protect against sweat and rain splash. That makes it the clearest match among the AC100 entries for someone who expects workouts or outdoor use in damp conditions.
The design keeps the earpieces outside the ear canal, and the product description emphasizes hearing ambient sounds while listening. For fishing, that can be a useful balance when you want audio but do not want a fully sealed fit. The dual-microphone call-noise reduction is intended to improve conversations; it should not be read as music-focused noise cancellation.
There is a practical limit to the moisture claim. The description mentions sweat and rain splash, but gives no specific IP rating for this version. I would treat that wording as splash protection, not submersion protection. The up-to-30-hours figure is total playback with the case, while an individual use is listed at up to six hours.
I’d favor this version over the other AC100 entries if the stated coating is the deciding feature for exercise or light exposure to rain. Its trade-off is still the same basic one: it lacks the Touch Pro’s independent TF-card player, and open-ear listening will not block environmental noise. It is a focused choice, not a do-everything audio setup.
How We Picked
We compared the published features and specifications, focusing on fit, battery details, connectivity, call features and outdoor-use claims.
The order reflects my independent editorial opinion; no brand paid for placement.
They can suit anglers who want audio while leaving their ears less enclosed than with in-ear headphones. An open design does not guarantee full awareness, so keep the volume moderate and stay attentive to your surroundings.
The Monster Open Touch Pro has a TF-card slot and an independent MP3 mode. The TF card is not included; the AC100 listings describe Bluetooth playback rather than a built-in offline player.
The open-ear models are designed to leave the ear canal unsealed, so outside sound remains audible. Their noise-reduction features are described for calls, not as a way to create isolated music listening.
The Touch Pro is listed for up to eight hours per charge and up to 30 hours with its case. The AC100 versions are listed for up to six hours per use and up to 30 hours total with the case.
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